A convicted teenage murderer who suffered a brutal prison attack has been granted the extraordinary right to a new identity for life, with a judge warning his safety would be critically endangered if his details became public.
Jordan Tams, now 20, was just 15 when he participated in the vicious murder of 18-year-old Alex Innes in a dispute over £20 in 2019. The horrific crime saw Alex stabbed 25 times in a Salford car park, with Tams and his accomplice later convicted of murder.
Violent Prison Assault Changes Everything
The case took a dramatic turn when Tams became a victim himself during his incarceration. He was seriously assaulted by another inmate at HMP Wetherby, leaving him with significant injuries that required hospital treatment.
This violent incident formed the basis for his unprecedented legal bid for anonymity upon release. His legal team argued that revealing his new identity would make him vulnerable to further attacks and effectively prevent his rehabilitation.
Judge Grants Lifelong Anonymity Protection
In a landmark ruling, Mrs Justice May concluded that Tams' safety would be 'seriously compromised' without permanent anonymity protection. The order prohibits any publication of information that could reveal his new identity, appearance, or whereabouts.
The judge acknowledged the exceptionally serious nature of Tams' crime but balanced this against compelling evidence from professionals working with him. They testified that he had shown genuine remorse and made substantial progress toward rehabilitation.
Controversial Decision Sparks Legal Debate
This ruling represents one of the most significant anonymity orders granted to a convicted murderer in recent legal history. The decision highlights the complex balance between public interest and prisoner safety in the justice system.
While Tams will serve his minimum 16-year sentence regardless of the anonymity ruling, the protection will extend throughout his lifetime, creating a permanent shield between his past crime and future life.
The case sets a notable precedent for how the courts handle young offenders who face genuine threats to their safety, even when convicted of the most serious crimes.
